Three Things I've Learned - Round 14 Edition

[1eyedog]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 14 Edition

Marks inside 50 were 25-6 Port's way - Schultz's 10 was more than our entire team



Who do we use instead? At one stage we tried Gia which was silly, he doesn't have the closing speed, height, leap or strength to go third man up

The perfect project for this is Tom Young who was very effective at this during the GWS game but he lacks form / ability and /or disposal efficiency

[boydogs]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 14 Edition

I think folk are advocating for no loose at those particular stages of the game, and if not I dare say very few alternatives could be raised.

I agree with pressing on when we have the momentum, but in terms of who we use I'm not sure we can do better than Crameri at this stage. He's just not playing very well ATM no matter where we put him

The perfect project for this is Tom Young who was very effective at this during the GWS game but he lacks form / ability and /or disposal efficiency

Thinking more a forward who we could send back to stem the bleeding. Stringer would be an option when in the seniors.

[always right]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 14 Edition

If we insist on putting someone back loose in defence, I would much prefer someone like Boyd who is excellent at reading the play, is sure overhead, and knows where to position himself.

[jeemak]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 14 Edition

If we insist on putting someone back loose in defence, I would much prefer someone like Boyd who is excellent at reading the play, is sure overhead, and knows where to position himself.

I think people would oppose that based on a perception that he'd butcher the ball once he's won it.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 14 Edition

I think people would oppose that based on a perception that he'd butcher the ball once he's won it.

I would be more than comfortable if Boydy went back.

[Remi Moses]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 14 Edition

I would be more than comfortable if Boydy went back.

He's not damaging enough with his disposal to play loose back.

[azabob]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 14 Edition

He's not damaging enough with his disposal to play loose back.

For the context of this conversation (2-3 mins at the end of a quarter) you don't need to be damaging playing loose man in defence.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 14 Edition

What I have learned is that we can struggle off a 6 day break or particularly when our recovery time is compromised in relation to our opponent.

Brisbane was off a 6 day break after Freo and Port Adelaide was off a 6 day break after Collingwood.

[jeemak]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 14 Edition

What I have learned is that we can struggle off a 6 day break or particularly when our recovery time is compromised in relation to our opponent.

Brisbane was off a 6 day break after Freo and Port Adelaide was off a 6 day break after Collingwood.

At the start of the year we really suffered from the disparity in breaks between our opponents and ourselves.

I think unfortunately it's just something you have to put up with when the draw is compromised to the extent that it is.

[Bulldog4life]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 14 Edition

What I have learned is that we can struggle off a 6 day break or particularly when our recovery time is compromised in relation to our opponent.

Brisbane was off a 6 day break after Freo and Port Adelaide was off a 6 day break after Collingwood.

Interesting too that Brendan Goddard said that now he is playing more at the MCG with Essendon his recovery is much better than when he was playing more games at Etihad with St.Kilda.

[jeemak]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 14 Edition

Interesting too that Brendan Goddard said that now he is playing more at the MCG with Essendon his recovery is much better than when he was playing more games at Etihad with St.Kilda.

The games are more intense at Docklands IMO. I'd like to see the difference in stoppage frequencies and contested possessions etc. to see if that's the case.

There used to be a theory that Docklands was harder than other grounds due to their being a car park under the ground, but now with the way stadium surfaces are designed there's very little difference in soil profiles across the board meaning this wouldn't be a factor any more.

[Twodogs]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 14 Edition

The games are more intense at Docklands IMO. I'd like to see the difference in stoppage frequencies and contested possessions etc. to see if that's the case.

There used to be a theory that Docklands was harder than other grounds due to their being a car park under the ground, but now with the way stadium surfaces are designed there's very little difference in soil profiles across the board meaning this wouldn't be a factor any more.

Does that mean most of the surfaces are harder now than they used to be?

[jeemak]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 14 Edition

Does that mean most of the surfaces are harder now than they used to be?

I think in most cases, yes.

Check out this link:

http://www.turfdiag.com/perched-water-table

The way soil profiles are designed these days, a certain amount of water is always retained in them and any excess drains away. Most have a hard clay base, or other compacted aggregate in which drainage channels are laid. These bases are pretty much as porous as concrete (i.e. they don't really absorb water) which allows them to drain really well.

If there wasn't a compacted base (con-vexed towards each drain, or angled towards them at least) to to lay the channels within, then the slotted PVC drains would be ineffective as there'd be too much potential for excess water to build up and destabilise the profile.

[Twodogs]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 14 Edition

That's great news for us. It brings everyone back to our level. Our competitors have given up an advantage. Yeah?

[jeemak]

Re: Three Things I've Learned - Round 14 Edition

Not sure. There's some issues with Docklands that will always be there, and even though they do a magnificent job at getting turf to take better than it used to the huge amount of traffic it endures coupled with the lack of sun it gets in perfect growing season months it's never going to be as consistent as the MCG in coverage (though protection from the elements can be a good thing - it'll never be a wash out). I also think because of the unnatural sun/water schedule the surface is a bit more crusty and harder there (not the sub surface, but the actual turf rolls) compared to other grounds.

But, from my earlier post I also think due to its shallow flanks and the fact it's always dry there the ball pings from one side of the ground, and from one end of the ground to the other very very quickly and there's a more frenetic pace. If you're on the defencive side of the wing at Docklands and half way to the boundary you're still only one and a half decent kick lengths (say that quickly without slipping) from the same position on the opposite side of the ground or a titch less than two kicks away from goal. On the MCG you're closer to two and bit under three respectively.

I always thought I felt more rooted after a game played quickly on a smaller ground than a game played on a bigger ground. More contests, more repeated efforts.